Ga vacancy induced ferromagnetism enhancement and electronic structures of RE-doped GaN

Because of their possible applications in spintronic and optoelectronic devices, GaN dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) doped by rare-earth (RE) elements have attracted much attention since the high Curie temperature was obtained in RE-doped GaN DMSs and a colossal magnetic moment was observed in the Gd-doped GaN thin film. We have systemically studied the GaN DMSs doped by RE elements (La, Ce–Yb) using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method within the framework of density functional theory and adding the considerations of the electronic correlation and the spin-orbital coupling effects. We have studied the electronic structures of DMSs, especially for the contribution from f electrons. The origin of magnetism, magnetic interaction and the possible mechanism of the colossal magnetic moment were explored. We found that, for materials containing f electrons, electronic correlation was usually strong and the spin–orbital coupling was sometimes crucial in determining the magnetic ground state. It was found that GaN doped by La was non-magnetic. GaN doped by Ce, Nd, Pm, Eu, Gd, Tb and Tm are stabilized at antiferromagnetic phase, while GaN doped by other RE elements show strong ferromagnetism which is suitable materials for spintronic devices. Moreover, we have identified that the observed large enhancement of magnetic moment in GaN is mainly caused by Ga vacancies (3.0μB per Ga vacancy), instead of the spin polarization by magnetic ions or originating from N vacancies. Various defects, such as substitutional Mg for Ga, O for N under the RE doping were found to bring a reduction of ferromagnetism. In addition, intermediate bands were observed in some systems of GaN:RE and GaN with intrinsic defects, which possibly opens the potential application of RE-doped semiconductors in the third generation high efficiency photovoltaic devices.     

源于非晶合金的透明磁性半导体

磁性半导体兼具磁性和半导体特性,通过操控电子自旋,有望实现接近完全的电子极化,提供一种全新的导电方式和器件概念.目前磁性半导体的研究对象主要为稀磁半导体,采用在非磁性半导体中添加过渡族磁性元素使半导体获得内禀磁性的方法进行制备.但大部分稀磁半导体仅具有低温磁性,成为限制其在室温可操控电子器件中应用的瓶颈.针对这一关键科学问题,本文提出与传统稀磁半导体制备方法相反的合成思路,在磁性非晶合金中引入非金属元素诱发金属-半导体转变,使磁性非晶获得半导体电性,研制出具有新奇磁、光、电耦合特性的非晶态浓磁半导体,揭示其载流子调制磁性的内禀机理,发展出可在室温下工作的p-n结及电控磁器件.     

Band-edge exciton transitions in (Ga1−xMnx)N diluted magnetic semiconductor films with above room temperature ferromagnetic transition

(Ga_1−xMn_x)N thin films grown on GaN buffer layers by using molecular beam epitaxy were investigated with the goal of producing diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) with band-edge exciton transitions for applications in optomagnetic devices. The magnetization curve as a function of the magnetic field at 5 K indicated that ferromagnetism existed in the (Ga_1−xMn_x)N thin films, and the magnetization curve as a function of the temperature showed that the ferromagnetic transition temperature of the (Ga_1−xMn_x)N thin film was above room temperature. Photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectra showed that band-edge exciton transitions in (Ga_1−xMn_x)N thin films appeared. These results indicate that the (Ga_1−xMn_x)N DMSs with a magnetic single phase hold promise for potential applications in spin optoelectronic devices in the blue region of the spectrum.     

氧化物稀磁半导体的研究进展

稀磁半导体是一种能同时利用电子的电荷和自旋属性,并兼具铁磁性能和半导体性能的自旋电子学材料。本文主要介绍ZnO、In2O3等氧化物稀磁半导体的研究进展,一是从实验角度介绍其制备、结构、磁性、电输运性质等特性;二是从理论角度对其磁交换能、电子结构、居里温度和磁性产生的机制进行阐述;三是在稀磁半导体的基础上进一步延伸,介绍其相关的异质结构的磁电阻效应,并在文章的最后对氧化物稀磁半导体的研究进行总结和展望。     

On the understanding of the microscopic origin of the properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors by atom probe tomography

Spintronics, in which both the spin and charge of electrons are used for logic and memory operations, promises to revolutionize the current information technology. Just as silicon supports microelectronics, diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) will be the platform of spintronics. Ideal DMSs should maintain ferromagnetic and semiconducting properties at operating temperatures to realize the spintronic functions. Although many high-temperature Curie temperature DMSs have been reported, the origin of ferromagnetism remains controversial. Currently, this is a major obstacle to the development of spintronic devices. The solution to this problem depends on a more complete understanding of DMS microstructure, especially the distribution of doped magnetic ions at atomic resolution and any defects introduced. Therefore, an analysis technique is required, possessing both high spatial and elemental resolutions, which is beyond the capability of conventional techniques, such as electron microscopy. However, atom probe tomography (APT), which recently has been successfully applied to nanoscale characterization of structural materials, has the potential to provide the unique combination of near atomic spatial and elemental resolutions needed for such an investigation.     

MFM and Raman studies in PEMBE-grown (Ga,Mn)N thin films showing room-temperature ferromagnetism

We present the room-temperature ferromagnetism in the (Ga,Mn)N films grown on n-type GaN templates by plasma-enhanced molecular beam epitaxy for semiconductor spintronic device applications. Despite of the possible interface effects between the (Ga,Mn)N layers and n-type GaN templates, the (Ga,Mn)N films were found to exhibit the ferromagnetic ordering above room temperature. The magnetic force microscopy identified the magnetic domains with the different magnetic orientations at room temperature, indicating the existence of the ferromagnetic long-range ordering. In Raman spectra, an additional peak at 578 cm⁻¹ was observed, which is attributed to the local vibration of substitutional Mn in the (Ga,Mn)N lattice. Therefore, it is believed that the ferromagnetic ordering in (Ga,Mn)N is due to the carrier-mediated Ruderman-Kittle-Kasuya-Yosida interaction.     

Structural, magnetic and transport properties of Ni-doped ZnO films

In this work, Ni-doped ZnO (Zn_1−xNi_xO, x=0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.11) films were prepared using magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), temperature dependence electrical resistance, Hall and magnetic measurements were utilized in order to study the properties of the Ni-doped ZnO films. XRD and XAS results indicate that all the samples have a ZnO wurtzite structure and Ni atoms incorporated into ZnO host matrix without forming any secondary phase. The Hall and electrical resistance measurements revealed that the resistivity increased by Ni doping, and all the Ni-doped ZnO films exhibited n-type semiconducting behavior. The magnetic measurements showed that for the samples with x=0.06 and 0.11 are room-temperature ferromagnetic having a saturation magnetization of 0.33 and 0.39 μ_B/Ni, respectively. The bound-magnetic-polaron mediated exchange is proposed to be the possible mechanism for the room-temperature ferromagnetism in this work.     

Zn1-xMnxO纳米薄膜磁有序性的Monte Carlo模拟

基于Zn_1-xMn_xO纳米薄膜磁性研究的实验结果及相关理论,建立了一个包含多种交换作用的Ising多层膜模型,采用Monte Carlo模拟的Metropolis算法对于其铁磁序的成因进行了模拟研究.结果表明,Mn掺杂浓度(x)越低越有利于铁磁序的形成,但是x越低,系统的磁化强度越小,居里温度越低.载流子对铁磁序的形成所起的调节作用随着x的增大而增强,又随着磁各向异性常数(K)的增大而弱化.本 关键词： 稀磁半导体(DMS) 1-xMn_xO纳米薄膜')" href="#">Zn_1-xMn_xO纳米薄膜 Ising多层膜 Monte Carlo模拟     

First-principles study on electronic and magnetic properties of Cu-doped CdS

Based on the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method, the electronic structures and magnetic properties in Cu-doped CdS diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) have been investigated. The results indicate that Cu-doped CdS systems show half-metallic character with a total magnetic moment of 1.0 μ_B per supercell. In the case of two Cu atoms substituting for Cd atoms, the long-range ferromagnetism is observed, which results from Cu(3d)-S(3p)-Cd-S(3p)-Cu(3d) coupling chain. The estimated Curie temperature of Cu-doped CdS is predicted to be 400 K, higher than room temperature. These results suggest that Cu-doped CdS may be a promising half-metallic ferromagnetic material for practical applications in electronics and spintronics.     

Magnetic Impurity Band and Photoinduced Magnetic Phase Transition in Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors

Applying the dynamical coherent potential approximation (dynamical CPA) to a model of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs), in which both random impurity distribution and thermal fluctuation of localized spins are taken into account, the spin-polarized band and the carrier spin polarization are calculated for various magnetizations. In order to clarify the role of impurity depth on the occurrence of ferromagnetism, three typical cases are investigated: (a) II-VI DMS, (b) deep impurity level, and (c) strong exchange interaction. The present study reveals that the impurity depth of magnetic ions strongly enhances the carrier spin polarization (CSP) and accordingly, leads to a high Curie temperature. This means that photoinduced ferromagnetism with high Curie temperature can be expected in a DMS with a deep impurity depth and strong exchange interaction.     

小型室温磁制冷系统的改进及实验研究

基于先前报道的旋转内磁体式小型室温磁制冷系统,系统采用了新的双层同心嵌套式Halbach磁体组,开展了钆工质的制冷温跨与制冷量的实验研究。采用新的双层Halbach磁体组后,磁体组轴线处平均磁场强度由0.3?1.2 T提升至0.06?1.40T。在回热器两端绝热保温的工况下,采用新磁体组的系统在相似频率和利用系数下性能显著提升,并在1.25 Hz的运行频率下获得19.8K的制冷温跨。在系统引入高低温换热器的条件下,设定回热器高温端温度为27.5℃时,室温磁制冷机在7K制冷温跨下获得10W制冷量,工质比制冷量约47W·kg-1,并在1.7 K的制冷温跨下获得了50 W制冷量。     

Magnetic Properties of Iron Clusters in Silver

Time differential perturbed γ-γ angular correlation technique was used to measure the magnetic hyperfine field (MHF) at Tb sites in the intermetallic compound Tb₃In₅ using the ¹⁴⁰La → ¹⁴⁰Ce nuclear probe. The measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 8 to 295 K. Two different temperature dependent magnetic frequencies were observed below 30 K, which were assigned as ¹⁴⁰Ce substituting the two inequivalent Tb sites in the orthorhombic structure of Tb₃In₅. The temperature dependence of MHF also shows a possible deviation from an expected Brillouin-like behavior for temperatures below 18 K. A Néel transition at 27 K was observed from magnetization measurements in the samples. The magnetization as a function of the applied magnetic field was measured at two temperatures, 5 and 40 K, and the results show antiferromagnetic and a typical paramagnetic behavior, respectively. In both cases it was not observed saturation under high magnetic field.     

The important role of Mn in the room-temperature ferromagnetism of Mn-doped GaN films

Mn-doped GaN films (Ga_1−xMn_xN) were grown on sapphire (0 0 0 1) using Laser assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy (LMBE). High-quality nanocrystalline Ga_1−xMn_xN films with different Mn concentration were then obtained by thermal annealing treatment for 30 min in the ammonia atmosphere. Mn ions were incorporated into the wurtzite structure of the host lattice by substituting the Ga sites with Mn³⁺ due to the thermal treatment. Mn³⁺, which is confirmed by XPS analysis, is believed to be the decisive factor in the origin of room-temperature ferromagnetism. The better room-temperature ferromagnetism is given with the higher Mn³⁺ concentration. The bound magnetic polarons (BMP) theory can be used to prove our room-temperature ferromagnetic properties. The film with the maximum concentration of Mn³⁺ presents strongest ferromagnetic signal at annealing temperature 950 °C. Higher annealing temperature (such as 1150 °C) is not proper because of the second phase Mn_xGa_y formation.     

Single-electron pumping in a ZnO single-nanobelt quantum dot transistor

Diluted magnetic semiconductors(DMSs)have traditionally been employed to implement spin-based quantum computing and quantum information processing.However,their low Curie temperature is a major hurdle in their use in this field,which creates the necessity for wide bandgap DMSs operating at room temperature.In view of this,a single-electron transistor(SET)with a global back-gate was built using a wide bandgap ZnO nanobelt(NB).Clear Coulomb oscillations were observed at 4.2 K.The periodicity of the Coulomb diamonds indicates that the Coulomb oscillations arise from single quantum dots of uniform size,whereas quasi-periodic Coulomb diamonds correspond to the contribution of multi-dots present in the ZnO NB.By applying an AC signal to the global back-gate across a Coulomb peak with varying frequencies,single-electron pumping was observed;the increase in current was equal to the production of electron charge and frequency.The current accuracy of about 1%for both single-and double-electron pumping was achieved at a high frequency of 25 MHz.This accurate single-electron pumping makes the ZnO NB SET suitable for single-spin injection and detection,which has great potential for applications in quantum information technology.     

Novel magnetic behavior of Mn-doped ZnO hierarchical hollow spheres

In this study, unique three-dimensional Zn_0.98Mn_0.02O hierarchical hollow microspheres (HHMs) with diameters of 5–8 μm have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal approach. In particular, room-temperature magnetization measurements indicate that novel co-existence of ferromagnetism (FM)/paramagnetism (PM) and only PM behaviors for the as-annealed Zn_0.98Mn_0.02O HHMs at 673 and 1,073 K, respectively, in Ar gas atmosphere appear, whereas the as-synthesized ones show merely pure FM. Based on the Photoluminescence and Raman spectra, it is confirmed that the concentrations of oxygen vacancies in Zn_0.98Mn_0.02O HHMs were becoming larger and larger with increasing annealing temperature. Corresponding magnetic evolution mechanism is proposed to relate to oxygen vacancies based on annealing processes. This novel magnetic property will enrich our understanding of diluted magnetic semiconductors.     

Large magnetic entropy change near room temperature in the LaFe11.5Si1.5H1.3 interstitial compound

The LaFe_11.5Si_1.5H_1.3 interstitial compound has been prepared. Its Curie temperature T_C (288 K) has been adjusted to around room temperature, and the maximal magnetic entropy change (|ΔS|～17.0 J·kg^-1·K^-1 at T_C) is larger than that of Gd (|ΔS|～9.8 J·kg^-1·K^-1 at T_C=293 K) by ～73.5% under a magnetic change from 0 to 5 T. The origin of the large magnetic entropy change is attributed to the first-order field-induced itinerant-electron metamagnetic transition. Moreover, the magnetic hysteresis of LaFe_11.5Si_1.5H_1.3 under the increase and decrease of the field is very small, which is favourable to magnetic refrigeration application. The present study suggests that the LaFe_11.5Si_1.5H_1.3 compound is a promising candidate as a room-temperature magnetic refrigerant.     

ODMR Study of Zn1−x Mn x Se/Zn1−y Be y Se and (Cd1−x ,Mn)Te/Cd1−y Mg y Te Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Quantum Wells

The effects of microwave pumping with a frequency of 60 GHz on the magneto-optical properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) are studied in (Zn,Mn)Se/(Zn,Be)Se and (Cd,Mn)Te/(Cd,Mg)Te quantum wells. Resonant heating of the Mn²⁺ ions in the electron spin resonance conditions leads to an increase in the Mn-spin temperature, which exceeds the bath temperature by up to 5.2 K, as detected by the shift of exciton emission line and decrease of its integral intensity. Nonresonant heating mediated by free carriers is also observed through variation of the polarization degree of emission. Direct measurements of spin–lattice relaxation times for both materials using time-resolved optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) technique have been performed. The mechanisms of ODMR in nanostructures of DMSs are discussed.     

Magnetic and electrical transport properties of delta-doped amorphous Ge:Mn magnetic semiconductors

We report on the growth and characterization of delta-doped amorphous Ge:Mn diluted magnetic semiconductor thin films on GaAs (0 0 1) substrates. The fabricated samples exhibit different magnetic behaviors, depending on the Mn doping concentration. The Curie temperature was found to be dependent on both the Mn doping concentration and spacing between the doping layers. A sharp drop in magnetization and rise in resistivity are observed at low temperature in samples with high Mn doping concentrations, which is also accompanied by a negative thermal remanent magnetization (TRM) in the higher temperature range. The temperature at which the magnetization starts to drop and the negative TRM appears show a correlation with the Mn doping concentration. The experimental results are discussed based on the formation of ferromagnetic regions at high temperature and antiferromagnetic coupling between these regions at low temperature.     

退火温度对N+注入ZnO:Mn薄膜结构及室温铁磁性的影响

采用射频磁控溅射法在石英玻璃衬底上制备了ZnO:Mn薄膜, 结合N⁺ 注入获得Mn-N共掺ZnO薄膜, 进而研究了退火温度对其结构及室温铁磁性的影响. 结果表明, 退火后ZnO:(Mn, N) 薄膜中Mn²⁺和N^3-均处于ZnO晶格位, 没有杂质相生成. 退火温度的升高 有助于修复N⁺注入引起的晶格损伤, 同时也会让N逸出薄膜, 导致受主(N_O)浓度降低. 室温铁磁性存在于ZnO:(Mn, N)薄膜中, 其强弱受N_O浓度的影响, 铁磁性起源可采用束缚磁极化子模型进行解释.     

Effects of Cr doping on physical properties of amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O films

Amorphous thin films of InGaZnO₄ (a-IGZO) doped with Cr have been fabricated by using pulsed-laser deposition (PLD). The electrical, optical and magnetic properties of Cr-doped a-IGZO films grown at 25 °C and 150 °C were investigated. The conductivity, optical transmission and band gap of films are remarkably enhanced by increasing the growth temperature. Conductivity, carrier concentration and mobility decrease with increasing the Cr content. However, the optical transmission and band gap are not significantly affected by Cr doping. Moreover, all Cr-doped films exhibit room-temperature ferromagnetism.